TerraPower, backed by billionaire Bill Gates, has received historic approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build an advanced Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming. This is the first approval in decades for a commercial non-water-cooled reactor in the USA. The $4 billion investment aims to revolutionize energy by using liquid sodium as a coolant and an integrated thermal energy storage system.

Historic NRC Approval

The first permit in decades for the construction of a commercial nuclear reactor using liquid sodium cooling technology instead of water.

Natrium Technology

Innovative 345 MW system with the ability to peak at 500 MW thanks to integrated thermal energy storage.

Coal Transition

The power plant is being built in Kemmerer on the site of a closing coal unit, offering new jobs for the local mining community.

HALEU Fuel Challenge

The need to become independent from Russian supplies of specialized uranium fuel by building a domestic supply chain in the USA.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a groundbreaking permit for the construction of a first-of-its-kind next-generation nuclear reactor. The project, carried out by TerraPower in the town of Kemmerer, Wyoming, represents a departure from traditional light-water technologies that have dominated civilian energy since the mid-20th century. The new design, named Natrium, uses liquid sodium instead of water, allowing the device to operate at atmospheric pressure and at significantly higher temperatures, drastically increasing the efficiency and operational safety of the entire system. The investment is being built on the site of the decommissioned Naughton coal-fired power plant, which has symbolic significance for the energy transition of the United States. The 345 MW reactor will be able, thanks to a molten salt heat storage system, to temporarily increase power output to 500 MW, allowing for grid stabilization during periods of low renewable energy output. The project is financed through a public-private partnership, with the U.S. Department of Energy covering nearly half of the costs estimated at $4 billion. Bill Gates, co-founder of TerraPower, has personally engaged in promoting this technology as a key tool in the fight against global warming. Since the 1950s, civilian nuclear power has relied almost exclusively on light-water reactors, which require vast amounts of water under high pressure to cool the core. Despite enthusiasm, the project faces challenges regarding HALEU fuel. Until recently, the only commercial supplier of this material was Russia, which, following the invasion of Ukraine, forced the USA to accelerate the construction of its own uranium enrichment capabilities. The success of the installation in Wyoming could pave the way for mass production of small modular reactors SMR, which are seen as the future of decentralized, emission-free industrial energy worldwide. „This is a massive step toward a clean energy future. The Natrium project is not just a new power plant; it is a completely new approach to safety and grid flexibility.” — Bill Gates

Mentioned People

  • Bill Gates — Co-founder of TerraPower and main investor in the Natrium reactor project.
  • Chris Levesque — President and CEO of TerraPower.